Cave City: Pink Marble & Yellow Marble Rockhounding in Barren County, Kentucky

Updated June 2026

Cave City is a mapped rockhounding spot in Barren County, Kentucky. Reported finds include pink marble, yellow marble. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Barren County
State: Kentucky
Nearest road: State Quarry Road
Postcode: 42127
Coordinates: 37.10406, -86.01247

Geology at Cave City

This spot sits on Girkin Formation, mapped as limestone that formed roughly 330 to 325 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit: Girkin Formation
Age: 330–325 Ma (Late Mississippian)
Rock types: limestone
Elevation: 810 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Cave City

Best months: August to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 48°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 29°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MAMMOTH CAVE station (8 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Cave City

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Cave City.

Across the state line from Cave City

Cave City is close enough to the Kentucky border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Cave City FAQ

Where is Cave City?+

Cave City is in Barren County, Kentucky, at 37.10406, -86.01247. Nearest road: State Quarry Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Cave City?+

Cave City is reported to produce Pink Marble, Yellow Marble.

Is collecting allowed at Cave City?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Cave City?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Cave City?+

The most comfortable months at Cave City are August to June.

How do I get to Cave City?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.10406, -86.01247 in Google Maps. The nearest road is State Quarry Road.

More rockhounding in Kentucky

See all 37 Kentucky spots →

Open Cave City on the map

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